A/N: Disclaimer! I do not own any of the great Tolkien's characters and I must say I've sullied most of them but do forgive me… T_T There are no reviews recently but I am happy that others are reading and are doing it regularly. Thank you~ I do not know till when I can last without encouragement. Anyway, here goes~


CHAPTER 7 | Kin

Faevaeren stomped inside the talan like a warg, throwing his travel bag on the floor and pacing around the receiving area. He asked permission from Tararil to leave the borders earlier than the others for his heart can take no longer of the malice and the lies that were not pacified by the half truths his sister offered.

Falchel and Celil have heard their cousin storm into their home without care and knew something is wrong. The twins looked at each other as if to measure who's going to console the angry ellon. "I've done it last time. It's your turn, Celil." Falchel said and without hearing the other's reply, rushed to the kitchen.

Celil pursed her lip in the predicament. It's not like she dreads talking her cousin out of hi mood but it was more on the length of time needed to do this and succeed…not to say the emotions she will be facing. Faevaeren has always been a brooding elfling, all the more when Hethelil left them to protect the borders of Greenwood. Celil raised the ellon teaching him of the various herbs used to heal gashes and cuts knowing he'll need the knowledge in skirmishes with the orcs loitering around the darkers parts of their home. But consoling is different… She was not the consoling type… That's Falchel… Regardless, it's her turn after all and she did agree when they've made a pact to take care of the young ellon in turns… And how she loathes it when it's HER turn to face emotional things.

She made her way to the doorframe that connects the receiving room to their living and dining area. Faevaeren was looking out of the window sitting on the bench with his boots still on. "What is bothering you, little one?" She gently asked making her way towards him.

Faevaeren immediately glared at his cousin and somewhat older sister. The twins raised him when his sibling left and he is very grateful but he has the feeling that they both know this secret long before he did. "Do you know of Celfaron?" The question was accusing and he felt bad seeing Celil cringe.

Celil froze at the question and for a few minutes just stared at the young elf. She looked like a fish depraved of water for a while until she found her voice and called for her other half. "I think you should come here, Falchel!"

"Oh come off it! Tis your turn!" Falchel answered from inside the kitchen. She carefully placed the trays of pastries inside the large clay oven and washed her hands. "I have to finish baking before nightfall. I'm sure you can handle~" She stopped midsentence as she entered the receiving area wiping her hands with the apron. Faeveren's face is lined with tears. "…or not… See now… I left you with him for not but a moment and this is what happens…" She gave Celil a look only an older sister can. "What is it, my little Beech tree? Why are you sad?" She rushed towards the ellon and seated herself beside him.

"Tis the matter we promised Hethelil never to talk about when he's around…" Celil answered for their cousin.

Falchel's mouth formed a perfect 'O' shape at the mention of the topic. "I think I have other things to take care of…" She tried to stand up but Celil was beside her in no time with hands wrapped around her wrists in an iron grip. With a heavy sigh, she looked back at Faevaeren and gave him a very long and warm hug. "It's okay, penneth… We're here…." Celil hugged them both.

"So it's true?" Faevaeren asked as he surrendered himself to the hugs of the twins.

"Yes." Celil answered softly. "But it was not because of callousness. They loved each other, little Beech…" She smiled ruefully leaning back to watch her cousin's golden eyes.

"I understand the prince is too kind to…" Faevaeren started but stopped when the arms that hugged him loosened. He looked up to see their startled faces. "Celfaron IS Legolas' son, is he not?" He studied their faces for a while and knew. He knew it was not the prince but was struggling and wishing it is so… "I feared for the truth and here it is…" He closed his eyes in the reality. Celfaron is Thranduil's.

Falchel squeezed her cousin's shoulders in comfort. "Everything has passed, my little Beech. Let's not dwell on it. Let's welcome Celfaron into the family tonight. They will be dining here." She started for the kitchen and stopped by the door. "Please understand, Fae… Your sister lost so much and yet instead of fading, she was strong enough because of Celfaron's birth. He's a blessing. He's family." She offered a warm smiled and continued her chores, Celil not far behind her.

"I know…" Faevaeren whispered to no one in particular.


Celfaron reveled at the freedom as the prince raced him around the forest. He looked up the canopy of trees singing as they pass them in high speed, their horses pushing to outrun each other.

"HAH! You're faltering, mellon!" Legolas grinned, riding the horse with no hand at all. A rod neighed rushing forward at the challenge of the brown gelding beside it. "Not bad for someone who's not trained to ride a horse."

"I learned only from the best!"

They both laughed as the rush off. After a while, Legolas won the race and they found themselves at the banks of the Anduin. "I am glad you enjoy horseback riding. Most of our Kin here do not... I myself only appreciated it after I left." He smiled as they let the horses drink from the great river.

"You've taught me to love it in a day, Prince Legilas." Celfaron replied spurring his mount to keep up with the white creature beside it. "I will be forever grateful, my prince."

"You need not to call me so formally, Celfaron." Legolas shook his head. "I am merely Legolas to my friends."

Celfaron was not sure to obey that but since it is from the prince himself, "Very well,...Legolas."

"No Veren Enjoy yourself, mellon..." Legolas led Arod into the path as they once more started to head somewhere. "Your life is just starting after all... All the more luck as tis the peaceful years welcoming you." He sighed contentedly. He wanted to leave the confines of the cave and forget about what he saw. It was an image he'd only saw once in his life and it was when the king lost the queen. His father never allowed tears to fall down his face. Thranduil never allows it. Seeing his father so weak last night is never his intention.

"Are you well, Legolas?" Celfaron queried as he led his horse to follow the prince.

"There is nothing to worry, my friend." Legolas smiled looking back at the blonde ellon. "You know... I feel very happy just seeing that another Sindar like myself made it through the war. Are you sure you have no knowledge of your lineage, Celfaron?"

Celfaron felt bad lying for days already and he feels as if he can not do so in front of the prince. "Well... I have heard Hethelil talk of someone she knows...that looks like me..." He saw the prince's attention immediately focus on him. "From Imladris, my lord...Legolas... She says my Adar must be from Imladris."

"Truly?" Legolas' face lit up. "I have so many friends in Imladris, Celfaron! Maybe we could go there some time...?" He noticed the sudden fear in the ellon's face at the mention of venturing. "Oh! Of course, we'll ask permission from your older sister. I'm sure she won't mind." He added.

Celfaron didn't know how to react. The prince doesn't know Hethelil is in fact his mother so he merely nodded. His joy in knowing that someone truly cares of finding out his parents is not an act though. "That will be well, Legolas."

He led his horse in a gallop heading for another place. "Come, Celfaron! There is so much of the forest you need to explore!"


Hethelil woke up to the feel of warmth. She stirred a bit feeling the soft silk sheets and as she moved her legs, she noticed they tangle with someone else's. A lazy smile crossed her beautiful face and she moaned when large hands caressed her hip drawing her close to the hard chest behind her. A hand played with her dark tresses splayed on the soft pillows of the bed and a kiss to her neck made her sigh. "So early…" She whispered chuckling a bit as the person nuzzled her.

"Tis never too early, Melamin…" The ellon grinned as he captured her lips with his.


TBC

A/N: OHHHH~KAY It's getting hot in here! LEMON ALERT next chapter. And WHO is this ELLON!? DUHN~DUHN~DUUUHHHHNNN! Review this, my lovies and I will make sure to tickle yet fancies! :3 Ciao!